This Is America
Childish Gambino Lyrics

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
The singer is acknowledging someone's presence.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, go, go away
The singer is telling someone to leave.

We just wanna party
The singer wants to have a good time.

Party just for you
The artist wants to have a good time with the listener.

We just want the money
The artist wants to make money.

Money just for you
The singer wants to share their wealth with the listener.

I know you wanna party (yeah)
The singer is saying that they know the listener also wants to have a good time.

Party just for free
The artist wants to have a good time without having to pay for it.

Girl, you got me dancin' (girl, you got me dancin')
The artist is saying that the listener has made them dance.

Dance and shake the frame
The artist wants to dance and make others dance as well.

This is America
The singer is stating that they are in America.

Don't catch you slippin' now
The artist is warning the listener to be careful and alert.

Look what I'm whippin' now
The singer is showing off something that they are working on or creating.

Police be trippin' now (woo)
The singer is noting that the police are being unreasonable or aggressive.

Guns in my area (word, my area)
The singer is noting the prevalence of guns in their area.

I got the strap (ayy, ayy)
The artist is saying that they have a gun.

I gotta carry 'em
The artist is saying that they feel like they need to carry a gun for protection.

Yeah, yeah, I'ma go into this (ugh)
The singer is saying that they are ready to do something, even if it's unpleasant.

Yeah, yeah, this is guerilla, woo
The singer is saying that what they are about to do is unconventional and may be viewed as rebellious.

Yeah, yeah, I'ma go get the bag
The artist is saying that they are going to go after money or success.

Yeah, yeah, or I'ma get the pad
The artist is saying that they are going to be successful, either by earning money or by achieving fame.

Yeah, yeah, I'm so cold like yeah (yeah)
The artist is saying that they are cool or confident.

I'm so dope like yeah (woo)
The singer is saying that they are great at what they do.

We gon' blow like yeah (straight up, uh)
The artist is saying that they are going to be successful and well-known.

Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, tell somebody
The singer wants their message to be spread to others.

You go tell somebody
The singer is telling the listener to spread their message to others.

Grandma told me
The singer is referencing the advice or teachings of their grandmother.

Get your money, black man (get your money)
The artist is telling black men to prioritize making money.

Black man
The artist is addressing black men specifically.

This is America (woo, ayy)
The singer is once again acknowledging that they are in America and possibly referencing the current political and social climate.

Guns in my area (word, my area)
The singer is calling attention to the prevalence of guns in their area.

I got the strap (ayy, ayy)
The artist is referencing their possession of a gun.

I gotta carry 'em
The artist feels like they need to carry a gun for protection.

Look at how I'm livin' now
The artist is showing off their current lifestyle and success.

Police be trippin' now (woo)
The singer is calling attention to police brutality or overreach.

Don't catch you slippin' now (ayy)
The artist is once again warning the listener to be alert and careful.

This is America (woo, ayy)
The singer is again referencing the current state of America.

Don't catch you slippin' now (woah, ayy)
The singer is repeating their warning to the listener.

Look what I'm whippin' now (ayy)
The singer is once again showing off something they have created or are working on.

Look how I'm geekin' out (hey)
The artist is showing excitement or enthusiasm about something they are doing or experiencing.

I'm so fitted (I'm so fitted, woo)
The artist is well-dressed or fashionable.

I'm on Gucci (I'm on Gucci)
The singer is wearing or referencing the luxury brand Gucci.

I'm so pretty (yeah, yeah)
The singer is good-looking or attractive.

I'm gon' get it (ayy, I'm gon' get it)
The artist is confident that they will achieve their goals or succeed in their endeavors.

Watch me move (blaow)
The artist is saying that they are going to do something impressive or surprising.

This a celly (ha)
The artist is referencing their cell phone.

That's a tool (yeah)
The singer is referencing a weapon or tool they are carrying.

On my Kodak (woo, Black)
The artist is referencing the camera brand Kodak and their relationship to the color black.

Ooh, know that (yeah, know that, hold on)
The singer wants the listener to remember something important.

Get it (get it, get it)
The singer is encouraging the listener to work hard and achieve their goals.

Ooh, work it (21)
The singer is again encouraging the listener to work hard and achieve success.

Hunnid bands, hunnid bands, hunnid bands (hunnid bands)
The artist is referencing the large sum of money they have or are earning.

Contraband, contraband, contraband (contraband)
The artist is referencing illegal goods or materials they may possess.

I got the plug on Oaxaca (woah)
The singer has a source of something valuable or helpful in the Mexican city of Oaxaca.

They gonna find you like blocka (blaow)
The singer is warning that someone may be targeted or harmed in a violent manner.

(America, I just checked my following list and)
The artist is possibly referencing social media and the relationships they have on those platforms.

(You mothafuckas owe me)
The artist is saying that they are owed something, possibly money or recognition.

Get your money, black man (black man)
The artist is once again encouraging black men to prioritize making money.

Black man (one, two, three, get down)
The singer is addressing black men specifically and possibly referencing a call to action or dance move.

Grandma told me, "Get your money," black man
The artist is referencing the advice their grandmother gave them earlier in the song about making money.

You just a black man in this world
The singer is acknowledging the struggles and challenges that black men face in society.

You just a barcode, ayy
The singer is saying that society sees black men as nothing more than a number or statistic.

Drivin' expensive foreigns, ayy
The singer is referencing their wealth and success by owning expensive foreign cars.

You just a big dawg, yeah
The artist is saying that the listener is powerful and influential.

I kenneled him in the backyard
The artist is saying that they have control over the listener and keep them in a confined space.

No proper life to a dog
The singer is saying that the listener does not have a good life and is being treated poorly.